I will be landing in Phuket in Oct with Mecure hotel in patong beach being booked. just figure out how I can get my hotel by shuttle bus or public bus other than taxi due to my little budget on transportation. any advice would be seriously appreciated!
Reply to this I guess it would be better if you could get through shuttle it's a little bit more comfortable compared to public bus. For more information about Thailand, try to check out,
, there's an available map of Thailand and other interesting places to explore in Phuket. 😊 Reply to this Hi Benjamin,
Not sure about the buses, but the metered taxis outside the carpark will cost you about 400 baht to Patong Beach. Make sure they turn the meter on.
What time of day do you arrive? That may be a factor in your options.
Reply to this What's up Ben....I was in Phuket earlier this year and had a hostel on Patong Beach. The taxi's are around 400 to 450 baht. However, there is a van service that will take you to Patong Beach and will charge approximately 150 baht; you will find the van outside the main door (small airport)this is a promotional service......Prior to arriving on Patong the van will stop at promotional sells area and will try and sell you all kinds of stuff. You will be there for about 15 minutes. The van will continue and take you directly to your hotel. I have used this serviced on two occasions during my travels to Phuket. I hope this will help.
Reply to this hi, jo, thanks for your informative clue. My flight will actually be arriving at 9pm. I am assuming I will be taken to hotel by 11pm. do you think it is a good idea if I find 4-5 persons at the airport to chip in on taxi fare. it would work out to 100baht each.
JR, thanks to your info too. I am sick of ppl flogging their fake stuff so better giving up on the van and blending in with locals by getting tanned.
btw, my thai stetches as far as hello and thank you. does it mean I have to be invloved in much charade-like communications?
Reply to this I happened to hear kinda tax refund stuff right from the horse's mouth. Is it true that I would be entitled to tax refund if I bought some goods with value-added tax label totalling more than certain amount?
Reply to this I think teaming up with others for a taxi is a great idea. As a matter of fact, on my flight going to Phuket i noticed many tourist making plans on the plane, as a group to use the taxi. There aren't many options for transportation into Patong. By the way, if you fly out of Phuket, you will find several travel agents that will sell you a individual ticket to travel back to the airport in a van. I think I paid about 150 baht. I hope this help.
Reply to this Don't worry about the lack of Thai language ability - most staff at the airport speak English. Same goes for shopping areas, tours etc.
I arrived about the same time and was too late for the public van so I think I got a taxi in the end. Highly suggest having a printout of your hotel's address/map etc so there's no doubt about where you want to go.
Maybe even ask people on the plane, otherwise definitely as you're waiting for your baggage. Don't wait til you're out in the arrivals hall to try and do it - the transport touts will try and take you separately unless you're already organised with a group.
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